The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-11-05
A BOOK WORMS DEN.
New York Star.

firmed book worms in the city of New York" said clerk in big Broadway bookstore the other day as an old man with benevolent look ing face and long white hair passed out of the store with two very old and very valuable books under his arm. His lace boro look of content nent and he seemed to be satisfied with himself and all the world. watched him until he boarded a Broadway car and sat down lo gloat over his latest possessions, The sight was fascinating. and l gazcd at the fast disappearing car until tho voice of the clerk called mo back from & .aen.a! vision of old musty shelves filled with older and hustler books, whose hind- ings time has fringed and scalloped with generous hand.
 "Rather interesting to look at a real book worm, isn't it?" said the clerk. You hear people call each other book-worms simply because they are always reading, but they arc not true, musty- smelling book worms N imt are theyf Whats the griu- inc article? Well, I'll tell you. A genuine book worm is man or wo- man (which latter is rarely the case) who goes to book store once or twice week, without knowing just what he wants. He has no definite idea of buying anything, but before he knows he has one or two good books. They come to sec if anything new has been received; if so, and IL is interesting, they buy 1t, and never object to the price. As rule they are men past middle age, but therc are some young men who are study ing for profession, but they usually buy only those books which treat of the profession they are study ing. Then we have some doctors and law yers who are confirmed book worms. Altogether l think there are about one hundred and fifty book worms In New York, and about eighty of them are regular customers of ours"
 A strange fact in connection with book worms, the clerk said, was that they very seldom visited the public libraries. They think that if Il book is interesting enough to read 1t k in- teresting enough to buy, and buy it they do, even if they have to deny themselves the ncccssaries of life to raise money enough to get the book.
 "l'u, arc they not great and insuf- ferable bores?" l asked the clerk, as l thumbed a disreputable looking copy of all old Latin prayer book that bore the date 1875. The clerk smiled.
 "Bores? l should say not. do not think there k bookseller in this city who would bc hard hearted enough 10 discourage book worm that pays him professional visit In fact, they will gladly put up with the worms quips and fancies in order to have his trade. Why, knew book seller who refused to sell All old bible --onc that was yellow with age--just because he saw worm looking at 1t the day before; and he was right. The worm bought the bible and now is q regular customer. It's a pity, too, for he spends every cent he can get for books, old books, new books, and books, books, books seem 10 be the only things he lives for. Well, it's all in the trade, and when we find Il likely customer we do all we can to make him habitual book worm."
 Make them book wormsI"
 "Oh, yes, that's easy. Get the GUS toner's name and send him every new catalogue, and if there Is anything of the nature of a book worm in him It will come out and you'll hook your fish. If you play him right you'll land him. Sending a worm cata- logue is like taking good sportsman to place where game Is abundant.
 "One man," continued the clerk, "devotes himself to ancient history and translations, several others to American history, and more are de- voted to old bibles and prayer books. Then, too," he said, "there are two or three antiqnarians in New York"
 While speaking of book worms in general, an old man entered the store, followed by younger one. The old man looked musty himself, and the clerk. whispered:
 "There is one of the antiquariaDs--- d genuine worm. That young man Is A worm, too"
 The old man went roaming about the place, and the young man, who was dressed for game--in other words, dressed to kill sauntered up to the clerk with A careless "Iiowdy, colo mel! Got anything today"
 Nothing that know of, my pretty pcn-pusher. Come in next week, and I'll have prize for you," and with a Let her go at that, Gal lagher," he sauntered out. "IIe's a man." said the clerk. "Iic's awfulIy young, but he's smart, and has made big hit. He's careless yet, hlIA if. fi.r.r. Ls3ll LE. 1x1.1.d